Page 70 - Summer 2014

“We are proud of our achievement, and most importantly, thrilled that our employees are enjoying their season and going MT. HOOD MEADOWS to us,” said Corinna Kupelwieser, workplace safety and train- home as healthy, or healthier, than they were when they came ing manager. BEST COMMUNITY OUTREACH Pebble Creek Ski Area, Idaho YOU DON’T SEE PENGUINS Safety Week” for many years, but until Pebble Creek has hosted its “Max recently, results were mixed. One sim- SLIP AND FALL ON ICE ple change in the way the resort imparts the safety message to youth made all KNOW WHY? WALK LIKE the difference this season. ‡ 7Key walk flat footed A PENGUIN! Pebble Creek ski patrollers used to meet with children ‡ 7Key takH VKRUW Vteps ‡ 7Key wDON ZLWK WKHLU in the lodge at lunch during the week and pass out col- DUPV DW WKHLU VLGHV QRW LQ WKHLU SRFkets) oring pages for them to render their favorite part of Your ‡ 7Key FonFentUate on PDLQtaining balanFe Responsibility Code. “The result was a few hurried pictures and pieces of crayon smashed into the carpet,” said Mary Reichman, general manager. Recognizing the need to better engage these young skiers and riders, this year patrollers decided to visit a local school, Inkom Elementary, where they had more time and space to talk about the Code. The patrollers handed out safety lanyards to kids who drew a poster for the safety coloring contest, incen- tivizing participation. Ninety-three children from Inkom then Mt. Hood used catchy slogans to remind employees to exer- came to the ski area for two days of low-cost lessons, and they cise caution in situations where they tend to let down their were excited to see their work on display. Area management guard. The “Walk Like a Penguin” tagline emphasizes aware- offered goggles as prizes for contest winners, and the posters ness when walking on ice, while “Don’t Get the Blue Run were on display for several weeks in the lodge. Blues” warns against complacency on intermediate terrain. The coloring contest is only one part of Max Safety Week, named for Pebble Creek ski patroller Max Kirkland, who died supervisors, but the entire leadership team of more than 150 of a heart attack in 1995—one day after leading rescuers in sav- employees now participates along with full-time year-round ing four avalanche victims. Other events include a lunchtime employees and safety committee members. trivia contest, where children can answer a safety question to The departments that actively participated in LSU win a bandana, lip balm, or other rewards. The resort has also decreased their worker’s comp costs considerably, motivat- had great success with the “Sweet Turns for Safety Race,” where ing other departments to get on board, which led to a dra- kids of all ages ski/board down a course that emphasizes turns matic decrease in injuries and worker’s comp costs. Mt. Hood and control, with a candy bar and a high-five waiting for them re-wrote job descriptions to include safety accountabilities at at the end. all levels of the company. In addition, a safety committee rou- Through Max Safety Week, Pebble Creek is able to reach tinely inspects all departments monthly and helps identify hundreds of children and teens with a message of skiing and and resolve hazards. snowboarding safety, said Reichman. “The new twist of going Mt. Hood recently was able to get a competitive quote from to the classroom weeks before the children come to the moun- a nonprofit state insurance company, decreasing the rate load, tain for their lessons was very successful,” she said. Plans are and thus premiums. The resort is eligible for an end-of-year div- to expand the program next season to include all of the grade idend that has typically been 30 percent of the premium costs. schools that have ski lessons at Pebble Creek. 68 | NSAA Journal | SUMMER 2014 w w w.nsaa. org NSAA Summer 2014 prepressed v6a.indd 68 7/3/14 4:23 PM